Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services | Gibson gets it! | Fall/Winter 2019

14 www. GibsonHospital.org It was during my time at Southern Illinois University that I was introduced to aquatic physical therapy. As a PTA (physical therapist assistant) student treating a young patient with cerebral palsy, I observed his wheelchair-bound body open up to movement in the pool. Inspired, I’ve now worked exclusively in roles with an aquatic emphasis for three decades. Recently I have been involved in the treatment of Gloria Dickey, who arrived at her first aquatic treatment in a wheelchair. She was able to comfortably enter the pool using the side-lift chair that safely lowered her into the Hydroworx pool, where I initially joined her during our therapy sessions. Dickey began her treatment in the pool by simply walking forward and backward while supporting herself with her hands on the rails. Being in chest-high water meant that she was only bearing 25% of her body weight due to buoyancy , which decreases the effects of gravity. With the force of stress on her hips and legs nearly eliminated, she experienced less discomfort than what she’d felt during traditional, land-based therapy. (It was for this reason that she was referred to aqua therapy!) Because the viscosity of water acts as a source of resistance, not only did she feel better in the water but every action in the pool, including walking and leg exercises, was a resisted movement— meaning she was gaining strength just from moving in the water. Dickey then progressed to walking on the activated pool treadmill without assistance from a therapist. Now discharged from therapy, she continues to perform her aquatic exercise as part of a step-down program, enjoying the warm, therapeutic Hydroworx on a weekly basis. Aquatic therapy helps patients like Gloria Dickey (pictured above) get their strength and mobility back. Water world The wonders of Hydroworx aquatic therapy It’s not what you can do in the water, it’s what the water can do for you! Story contributed by Beulah Reynolds, BA, Healthcare Management, AAS, Physical Therapist Assistant To begin aqua therapy, speak to your primary care provider about a physical therapy evaluation. Questions about the program? Call GAHTherapy Services in Paxton at 217-379-2500 .

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